Russian man mauled to dying by tiger shark off Egypt’s Red Sea coast in uncommon assault

A younger Russian man was mauled to dying by a shark off considered one of Egypt’s Red Sea resorts, based on Egyptian and Russian authorities.

The man, named as Vladimir Popov by Russian media, died after being attacked by a tiger shark within the waters close to the town of Hurghada, Egypt’s surroundings ministry stated.

Footage circulating on-line, purportedly of the assault, reveals a person thrashing about within the water earlier than being repeatedly attacked by a shark circling him after which dragged beneath.

The ministry later stated the shark had been caught and was being examined in a laboratory to attempt to decide the explanations for the uncommon assault.

A 46-mile (74km) stretch of the shoreline was closed off by authorities, who introduced it might stay off-limits till Sunday.

The man’s father, Yury Popov, was pressured to look at the assault helplessly from the shore because the predator circled the 23-year-old and finally dragged him beneath the water.

Speaking to the 112 media outlet following his son’s dying, Mr Popov stated: “We went to the beach to relax. My son was attacked by a shark, it all happened in seconds.”

He stated no different relations had been close to his son on the time of the assault to assist, however added: “What kind of help can you give? This meat grinder happened in 20 seconds, he was just dragged under the water.”

Mr Popov described the assault as an “absolutely ridiculous coincidence” as a result of the seaside is thought to be secure.

“There are ships and yachts around. It’s never happened there. They usually attack on wild beaches. It’s just some kind of evil fate,” he stated.

Other movies being shared on-line present the tiger shark being caught alive and dragged ashore by a ship following the assault, earlier than being clubbed to dying.

It is taken into account uncommon for shark assaults to happen within the coastal areas of the Red Sea.

However, there have been two deadly incidents of shark assaults final yr in Hurghada inside a couple of days of one another, ensuing within the deaths of Austrian and Romanian vacationers.

Egypt’s famend seaside locations within the Red Sea, corresponding to Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh, are continuously visited by European vacationers. These locations are significantly common amongst divers who’re drawn by the colourful sea life seen within the steep drop-offs of coral reefs situated simply offshore.

In current occasions, Egypt has been making concerted efforts to revive its tourism trade, which has suffered as a consequence of political instability, the COVID pandemic, and the battle in Ukraine.

Tiger sharks are a notable species present in each tropical and temperate waters. They are recognized for being among the many sharks that always assault people with out provocation, as per the information of the International Shark Attack File.